Support from fellow parent-carers is one of the most effective ways in which parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities build resilience and emotional wellbeing. Parents also tell us their most valuable source of information, support and advice is other parent-carers.

To help parents build networks of mutual support we run seven parent support groups in Burgess Hill, Chichester, Horsham (relocated from Billingshurst), Littlehampton, Shoreham (new group – see below), Worthing, and online via Zoom. Known as Umbrellas, our groups provide an informative, supportive, relaxed and non-judgemental environment within which parents can swap life experiences, share hints and tips, seek advice and share information and resources.

Thanks to lottery funding our Umbrellas groups also benefit from a small fund which parent members can use to commission, plan and participate in activities that promote health & wellbeing, for example, head and shoulder massages, resilience workshops, mindfulness, group picnics, etc.